The Swiss Plant Breeding Center (SPBC) is the newly founded, independent competence and innovation center for plant breeding in Switzerland. Its aim is to strengthen Swiss plant breeding and increase breeding efficiency. Its main tasks are to network the players in breeding and research, and to transfer research results into practical breeding programs. The SPBC provides breeders with technical support, know-how and expertise, and plays an active role in the planning and implementation of innovation projects. It aligns its services to customer needs, is open to all crop types, cultivation systems and methods, covers broad areas of expertise through network partnerships and is active in the acquisition of customer and third-party funding.

 

Our competencies include molecular genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, data analytics, trial design, breeding program design, and digital phenotyping.  In all these areas, we focus on supporting breeding organizations to translate research results into routine application. Similarly, in digital phenotyping, we aim to bridge the gap between research projects and practical application to support timely research decisions. Breeders need digital phenotyping that is scalable, cost-effective, heritable and precise, with fast turn-around and trait definitions that support effective selections towards relevant breeding goals. We look forward to collaborating within the SPPN and EMPHASIS to bring practical digital phenotyping solutions to Swiss plant breeders.